LSAT Explanation PT 25, S2, Q8: Toddlers are not being malicious when

LSAT Question Stem

The situation as described above most closely conforms to which one of the following generalizations? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle (Misc) question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage. The passage states that toddlers are not being malicious when they bite people. It provides an example where a child may want a toy and feel that the person they bite is preventing them from having it. The passage suggests that the child's biting behavior is not driven by malicious intent but rather by a desire to achieve a goal (getting the toy).

Now, let's move on to the question. The question type is Principle (Misc), and it asks us to identify which generalization most closely conforms to the situation described in the passage.

Let's examine each answer choice:

a) Biting people is sometimes a way for toddlers to try to solve problems.

This answer choice aligns with the passage's example where the child bites someone to get a toy. Biting, in this case, is a means to solve the problem of not having the toy. This answer choice provides an alternative intent for biting, which is problem-solving rather than maliciousness. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

b) Toddlers sometimes engage in biting people in order to get attention from adults.

This answer choice suggests an alternative intent for biting (getting attention), but it doesn't match the example provided in the passage. In the example, the child bites to get a toy, not to get attention. Thus, this answer choice doesn't conform to the situation described in the passage.

c) Toddlers mistakenly believe that biting people is viewed as acceptable behavior by adults.

This answer choice focuses on the acceptability of the behavior, which is related to other people's reactions or the results of the action, rather than the child's intent behind biting. The passage is concerned with the intent of the child, which is not necessarily related to whether the behavior is viewed as acceptable. Therefore, this answer choice doesn't conform to the situation described in the passage.

d) Toddlers do not recognize that by biting people they often thwart their own ends.

This answer choice focuses on the practical effectiveness of biting as a problem-solving strategy and whether toddlers realize it. It doesn't address the toddler's intent behind biting, which is the main focus of the passage. Therefore, this answer choice doesn't conform to the situation described in the passage.

e) Resorting to biting people is in some cases an effective way for toddlers to get what they want.

Similar to answer choice (c), this answer choice focuses on the results of the biting action rather than the child's intent. Whether biting is effective or not has no bearing on what the toddler's original intent was. Therefore, this answer choice doesn't conform to the situation described in the passage.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (a) Biting people is sometimes a way for toddlers to try to solve problems. This answer choice aligns with the passage's example and provides an alternative intent for biting, which is problem-solving rather than maliciousness.